"How's it going with the librarian?" asked Maggie.
She sat in a rocking chair on someone’s porch. Luke was fairly certain it wasn’t her house. But that’s how people came and went on this ranch.
Luke and Paul had been headed back to their place. Luke had waited outside the doctor’s offices where Paul got results from his tests. He’d had been waiting patiently for his friend to tell him what the doctor said, but Paul kept skirting the subject. Now, they were on a subject Luke wanted to skirt.
Luke tried not to sigh, but with another glance of his phone and his unanswered text message, the weary gush of air came out. "She said she's coming over for Sunday dinner."
Well, she had said that when he’d seen her last. She hadn’t responded to any of his texts today. Luke’s fingers itched to text again, but he knew he was pushing it.
"You're at the meet the family stage already?” Maggie cuddled the baby, who slept on her chest. Again, Luke didn’t think this was her child. But again, that’s how the people and kids on this ranch came and went. “That's progressing nicely."
"I expect a proposal in less than a month,” said another of the brides. Cassie Ramos poked her head out of the screen door. Luke thought she might be the child’s mother?
"It's not like that between me and Elaine,” said Luke. "We're still just friends."
"Yeah,” said Maggie. “The way you said that isn't believable."
Luke sighed again. "She spooks easy. I need to take it slow. Get her comfortable."
"You make her sound like a new colt,” said Cassie.
She was. Elaine hadn't responded to any of his text messages. Maybe Dr. Patel had it wrong. Maybe he was coming on too strong and scaring her off?
"These women will have you married by three months if you're not careful," said Paul.
That didn't sound so bad to Luke. He could see himself discussing books with Elaine over tacos on Tuesdays for weeks, months, to come. Maybe even years.
"Wow? Really?" said Paul as he eyed his best friend. "What do you even know about this girl?"
"That's just it," said Luke. "I'm trying to get to know her."
"What you're trying to do is save her,” said Paul.
"She saved me," Luke insisted.
"I've seen her. She's a wounded bird. She's hurt on the inside. You told me her parents made a mess of the nest and flew the coop. Now, here you come to save her. Not every wound is your fault. Not every scrape needs healing."
The longer Paul spoke, the touchier his tone got. Luke knew his friend, and he wasn't taking the bait. This wasn't about him and Elaine. "What did the doctor say?"
Paul looked away from Luke. Over in the neighboring yard, a few of the men played football. "I'm not getting surgery. I’m fine. I'm leaving here and going back home at the end of the week."
"Paul—"
"You can stay and court the librarian if you want, but don't use me as an excuse."
"If the doctor—"
"It's my life. It's my decision. My condition is a manageable one. This is how I choose to manage it."
The football landed between them as though to punctuate the end of the argument. Paul picked up the pigskin and tossed it back. He winced with the throw.
"Good arm,” called Xavier Ramos.
"It's been a minute," said Paul
"Come play,” Ramos invited.
Paul hesitated for a second before joining the other guys. Luke held back. Instead of joining in the game, he took the opportunity to watch his friend. He searched for any other signs of pain and discomfort. After fifteen minutes, he didn't see any. He only saw joy on Paul’s face at the normal interaction between other fit men. Maybe his friend was okay?
The crunch of gravel turned Luke’s attention from the game and to the road. A car pulled up. When the vehicle came to a stop, Elaine hopped out. She was holding Luke's book in her hand. Luke rose from his chair. As she approached, he saw that it wasn't the book he'd given her. It was the second one.
"I finished the first and started the second," she said, her voice breathless, her words were stilted as though she had difficulty forming them. "I really like it."
A slow grin spread across Luke’s face. “You sound surprised."
"Because I didn't expect to. I prejudged the book and the author. But last night, I gave the story a try.” She hesitated. Her brow pinching. Her lips contorting. “And I really liked it."
"I'm glad you like it. I'm partial to it myself."
“Maybe we could discuss it … over tacos?"
"I'd like that."
Elaine bit her lip, as though chewing on her next words. “Maybe not as friends. Maybe as two people who…like each other."
Luke knew he should take it slow. He knew she was spookable. But he had no trouble getting his words out. “Do you mean a date?"
Elaine nodded.
"I'd really like that."
Behind them were a few girlish squeals of delight. They turned to see Maggie and Cassie applauding the scene that he’d just played out.
“I love this place,” sighed Maggie as the baby in her arms burped and deposited a little gift on her pristine blouse.